2012 Land Rover Discovery 4 & Range Rover Sport review and pictures

The 2012 Land Rover Discovery 4 hosts a large number of refined features that make it the best vehicle in its segment. The 3.0 SDV6 diesel provides outstanding CO2 emissions of 230 g/km, while the new ZF 8HP70, eight-speed automatic transmission ensures an improved efficiency together with competitive fuel consumption. Efficiency is further improved by the internal mechanical layout of the 8HP70 which means that no more than two internal clutches are open at any time. Although the CO2 emissions were considerably reduced, the engineers have done a great work in increasing the power from 245 HP to 256 HP, thus obtaining an incredible performance. The new 3.0-litre diesel can significantly outperform its rivals by delivering 500Nm in only 500 milliseconds from idle, allowing drivers to have instantaneous access to 95 percent of maximum torque. The Discovery 4 is also available with steering wheel-mounted paddle shift and "Drive Select" rotary gear shift. In terms of design, the car model boasts new alloy wheels and improved audio and navigation systems based on the latest electrical architecture. As a premiere, the drivers will enjoy an audio system available with a non-navigation touch-screen. The Timed Climate feature, as standard on HSE models, which pre-heats the cabin and engine in cold weather, has been upgraded from a one-day timer to a seven-day timer operated much like a home central heating programmer.Colin Green, Land Rover UK Managing Director, stated that the Discovery 4's position was consolidated by improved performance, lower CO2 emissions together with enhanced design and equipment levels, making it a versatile and capable vehicle.The engineers also revised the understeer control system, which is meant to interfere by automatically slowing the vehicle to bring it back under driver control. Gradient Acceleration Control is designed to provide safety cover on severe gradients when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged.The Discovery 4 incorporates several other energy saving features, such as an Intelligent Power Management System that includes Smart Regenerative Charging, which charges the battery via the alternator when the car is coasting rather than accelerating.